Google’s auto alliance will put Android in cars in 2014. Audi, GM, Honda are on board

The rumor from last week was true – Google is partnering with Audi and other big carmakers to turn cars into Android connected devices, with first models expected by the end of the year.

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To promote the Android in cars platform, Google, in cooperation with automakers Audi, GM, Honda, and Hyundai and chipmaker Nvidia, established the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), an organization that has a “vision for making technology in the car safer, more seamless and more intuitive for everyone.” The OAA seems to be modeled after the OHA, the group of 84 companies that use and promote Android on electronic devices, established in 2007.

“The members of the Open Automotive Alliance share a vision for the connected car, and are committed to collaborating around a common platform to make this vision a reality” reads the official description of the partnership, which is open to other companies interested in using Android in cars. The core values of the initiative are said to be “openness, customization and scale”, which are the strengths that made Android into the mobile behemoth that it is today.

The OAA wants to create better integration between mobile devices and cars, all while maintaining a safe, car-friendly experience. New features that will enable car integration will be “coming soon” to Android, according to the FAQ on the OAA website.

So far, we have no details on the availability of the first Android-equipped models, other than “by the end of this year”. We also don’t know exactly how Android would work in cars, though with automakers having strong presences at CES, we expect to see some cool demos soon.

Google is not alone in this arena – Apple has already announced its iOS in the Car initiative, while big carmakers (GM included) have their own projects underway.

Show Press Release

New roads ahead for Android and the Open Automotive Alliance

Tech companies and auto industry leaders join forces to make the connected car a reality in 2014

January 6, 2014 [12:01AM]

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.; INGOLSTADT, Germany; DETROIT, Mich.; TOKYO, Japan; SEOUL, South Korea., January 6, 2014 – Extending the success of the Android ecosystem, which has seen over one billion devices activated to date, a coalition of auto and technology companies announced today a new industry alliance aimed at bringing the Android platform to a device that’s always been mobile: the car.

Audi, GM, Google, Honda, Hyundai and NVIDIA have joined together to form the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), a global alliance of technology and auto industry leaders committed to bringing the Android platform to cars starting in 2014. The OAA is dedicated to a common platform that will drive innovation, and make technology in the car safer and more intuitive for everyone.

The OAA is aimed at accelerating auto innovation with an approach that offers openness, customization and scale, key tenets that have already made Android a familiar part of millions of people’s lives. This open development model and common platform will allow automakers to more easily bring cutting-edge technology to their drivers, and create new opportunities for developers to deliver powerful experiences for drivers and passengers in a safe and scalable way.

“The worlds of consumer and automotive technologies have never been more closely aligned, and this alliance will only pave the way for faster innovation,” said Ricky Hudi, Head of Electrics/Electronics Development at AUDI AG. “Working toward a common ecosystems benefits driver safety above all.”

“Partnering with Google and the OAA on an ecosystem that spans across vehicles and handheld mobile devices furthers our mission to bring vehicles into our owners digital lives and their digital lives into their vehicles,” said Mary Chan, President of General Motors’ Global Connected Consumer unit. “We see huge opportunities for the Android platform paired with OnStar 4G LTE connectivity in future Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.”

“Millions of people are already familiar with Android and use it everyday,” said Sundar Pichai, SVP of Android, Chrome & Apps at Google. “The expansion of the Android platform into automotive will allow our industry partners to more easily integrate mobile technology into cars and offer drivers a familiar, seamless experience so they can focus on the road.”

“We are very pleased to join this alliance with Google as a founding member because Honda is committed to providing the very best connected-car experience to our customers,” said Yoshiharu Yamamoto, president, CEO and director of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. “The Honda team is looking forward to collaborating with Google and all OAA members to help advance the safety, value and ease of use of connected-car technologies.”

“Through the OAA, our customers using Android devices will soon be able to enjoy the continuous user experience in their Hyundai and Kia vehicles.” said Dr. Woong-Chul Yang, Vice Chairman of R&D, Hyundai Motor Group. “By introducing the latest IT technologies safely and securely throughout our full range of vehicles, we continually strive to provide the highest levels of convenience and enhance the in-vehicle experience.”

“The car is the ultimate mobile computer. With onboard supercomputing chips, futuristic cars of our dreams will no longer be science fiction,” said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and chief executive officer, NVIDIA. “The OAA will enable the car industry to bring these amazing cars to market faster.”

OAA members share a vision for the connected car, and bringing these open standards of innovation to the market will help extend people’s mobile experience seamlessly to another platform they already know and love. Timing from each automaker will vary, but you can expect to see the first cars with Android integration by the end of this year. The OAA invites other automotive technology companies to join in this endeavor.

Picturing over clocking it and making your car go faster (because that’s how it works ;D)

Shark Bait

OMG can’t wait to do that!!!! Hoping theirs no NSA back door into my car though ……

MasterMuffin

There may already be so…

Aravind J Nampoothiry

Cyanogenmod Turbo ;)

Shark Bait

Sounds like a pretty big group there! Let’s hope they make something good because so far all car systems suck, I like the idea of play music and google now straight into my car!

Aniruddh

I like the idea of unlocking my car, as well as opening doors, or better yet, allow us to drive it straight from our Android device

Shark Bait

James bond!

Aniruddh

Haha! Imaging using your tablet instead of the steering wheel (accelerometer). Of course, if it has lag problems, then you’re outta luck…

mxfi

Or imagine the future of car thefts made infinitely easier now that all cars have the same os, it’ll be like waking up to your android bitcoin wallet empty… Except it will be a driveway empty and your car missing…

joe

Can I finally get goggle maps navigation on a built in screen without having to pay 2 grand for the OEM nav option?

Timmy

Does this mean when I play Ingress in my car it will automatically hack portals as I drive by them? Or, can I program my car to drive around town and remotely hack portals while I’m at work or asleep?

http://plus.ly/carlos Carlos Limardo

So if Audio is in, does that mean VW is in as well? As they’re all under the same umbrella. Only issue I see happening now is BMW linked up with Apple, so your iPhone works nicely with it and now Audi, etc with Google for Android – is it going to be more of a pain than it already is if I want to use my Android in a new BMW or for my wife to use her iPhone in a new Audi, etc?

They should come up with a standard that all phone OSes can use to integrate better with the car system. My two cents.